Fastening device to be worn on an arm

ABSTRACT

A fastening device, and corresponding methods of manufacture and use, are disclosed as the fastening device may be worn on an arm. In an example, the fastening device includes a band portion having an opening formed in the band portion. The opening is sized to slide onto a watchband. The fastening device may also include an edge portion of the band portion. A least one opening is provided with the edge portion for attaching a bracelet or other jewelry. As such, the bracelet or other jewelry is held next to the watchband when worn on the arm so that the bracelet or other jewelry does not slide up and down the arm.

BACKGROUND

Watches, bracelets and other jewelry is often worn on a person's arm,mostly by women, but by men and children too. Watches are typicallyavailable with an elastic or adjustable band so that the watch can befitted comfortably around the wearer's wrist so that the watch does notslide up and down the wearer's arm. But bracelets and other jewelry wornaround the wrist typically cannot be adjusted, and therefore may slideup and down the wearer's arm when the wearer moves. This movement can beuncomfortable or even annoying for the wearer. In some circumstances,sliding jewelry can even catch on sleeves, nearby hooks, or otherobjects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an example fastening deviceshown as the fastening device may be worn on a person's arm.

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of the example fastening device shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 1 b is a top plan view of the example fastening device shown inFIG. 1 a.

FIG. 1 c is a right side plan view of the example fastening devicecorresponding to the view shown in FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 1 d is a front side plan view of the example fastening devicecorresponding to the view shown in FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of another example fastening device.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another example fastening device.

FIGS. 4-8 are illustrations of other example fastening devices as thefastening devices may be used with a watch.

FIGS. 9 a-e are illustrations of other example fastening devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Watches have long been a fashion statement, and are considered animportant part of a larger jewelry or fashion accessory wardrobe.However, many women (although not limited just to women) hesitate towear bracelets with their watches on the same arm for various reasons.For example, the bracelet may scratch the watch crystal, the braceletmay interfere with reading the watch face, and the bracelet may getcaught in the watchband and be a nuisance or cause discomfort.

A fastening device is disclosed herein as it may be worn on an arm. Thefastening device may be connected to a watch (or other piece of jewelryworn on the wearer's arm) to keep a bracelet or bracelets (or otherjewelry such as charms) substantially in place even when the wearermoves her (or his) arm.

The fastening device is comfortable to wear, and may be used to attachother jewelry (e.g., one or more bracelet, charm, etc.) to the watch andavoid issues such as those which have been described above. Thefastening device enables braceletes to be attached to the watch andreside beside the watch, for example, giving the wearer an opportunityto showcase the bracelets or other jewelry in comfort without risk ofthe bracelet rolling over and/or scratching the watch crystal, gettingwet during hand washing or dirty during work, and/or rolling up thewearer's sleeve and getting caught or tangled.

The fastening device may also be used as a decorative enhancer for thewatchband itself, when used with bracelets or other jewelry, or evenwhen worn by itself on the watchband (without bracelets or otherjewelry). When not in use, the fastening device may be readily removedfrom the watchband and thus does not permanently alter the watch. Thesame fastening device can also be readily used with different watches.

The fastening device may be marketed by itself, in bundles (e.g.,various colors and/or styles), and as part of a kit. The kit may includecomplementary bracelets (or other jewelry and charms, etc.), removableand/or interchangeable decorative items that can be inserted and removedfrom grommets/openings formed in the fastening device (e.g., bezel setcrystals or other materials such as synthetic or natural pearls orgemstones, etc.), a watch or set of watches, one or more watchband, andvarious other accessories.

Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes”and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including”and “includes at least” or “including at least.”

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an example fastening device 10shown as the fastening device 10 may be worn on a person's arm 1. In anexample, the fastening device 10 may be used to secure bracelets 12 a-b(and/or other jewelry such as charms) to a watchband 14. The fasteningdevice 10 may include a band portion 16 configured as a loop with anopening 18 formed therethrough such that the fastening device 10 atleast partially or even fully encircles the watchband 14. The fasteningdevice 10 can be made to slide up an open end of the watchband 14.

The band portion 16 may be sewn together. In another example, the band16 of the fastening device 10 may be opened and closed for assembly bythe wearer on the watchband 14. Examples include, but are not limited tothe use of snaps and hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO®. In anyevent, the top and underside (or “front” and “back”) of the band portioncan be made to separate at one end (e.g., the right or left side).

To illustrate, the side flaps 21 a-b may include a “top” layer and a“bottom” layer, each connected respectively to the top and underside ofthe band portion 16. The top layer may include one part of a snapconfigured to fit into a grommet via an interference fit. When the“open” band portion encircles the watch band, the top and bottom piecesof the flaps 21 a-b can be closed by pressing the two pieces together sothat the snap mates with the grommet The use of VELCRO® or otherattachment means may also be utilized to open/close the band portion 16around the watchband 14.

The opening 18 may be sized at least large enough to accommodate commonsize watchbands. The fastening device 10 may be slid around thewatchband 14 and reside anywhere on the watchband 14. For example, thefastening device 10 may reside near the watch face 15, or on the side ofthe watch (the side of the user's wrist) as shown in FIG. 1. Thefastening device 10 may also reside on the watchband 14 on the portionopposite of the watch face, for example, underneath the user's wristwithin the belt buckle 417 between the closed buckle and the watchband'skeeper loop 413, as shown in FIG. 4 (described below). Of course, thewatchband 14 may have any suitable type of clasp or buckle.

In another example, the opening of fastening device 10 is adjustable insize, such as may be made possible by using an elastic or otherstretchable and/or resilient material for the band portion (see, e.g.,FIG. 2). Elasticity may also be provided using goring, shirring, orgusseting techniques (see, e.g., FIG. 4 described below). Thesetechniques may provide the further benefit of reinforcement and/or as adecorative detail.

The fastening device 10 may include edge portions 20 a-b including oneor more “flaps” 21 a-b on one or both sides of the band portion 16. Theflaps 21 a-b may be part of the same material which forms the bandportion 16, or may be separate and attached to the band portion 16. Theflaps 21 a-b may be substantially square-edged as shown in FIG. 1,rounded, V-shaped, or any other size and/or shape. In addition, theflaps 21 a-b may include different coloring and/or designs (e.g.,college, sports, or charity logos). Of course, the flaps 21 a-b do notneed to be provided at all in other embodiments.

One or more openings 22 a-d may be provided with the edge portions 20a-b (e.g., in or on flaps 21 a-b). In an example, grommets (shownsurrounding the openings 22 a-d in FIG. 1) may serve to reinforce theseopenings. In another example, rings may be attached to the flaps 21 a-b(or directly to the band portion 16) instead of or in addition to theopenings 20 a-b being formed therein (see, e.g., FIGS. 7-8 describedbelow). The rings and/or openings in the edge portions may be configuredto attach the bracelets 12 a-b to the fastening device 10.

The openings 22 a-b (and/or the grommets and rings) may also serve asreceptacles for “snap-in/snap-out” or magnetic (or otherwise attachable)design elements, such as bezel set crystals or pearls or otherdecorative items (see, e.g., FIG. 3 described below). It is noted thatthe grommet and/or openings 22 a-b may be decorative by itself. Forexample, the grommets may be colored or crystal encrusted and/or theopenings 1 a-b may be wound with different color threads to provide adecorative effect.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bracelets 12 a-b connect to the fastening device10, which in turn connects to the watchband 14. In this example, thebracelets 12 a-b are shown as each bracelet may be slid through theopenings 22 a-b in the flaps 21 a-b. In other example, a clasp on thebracelet may be connected to the openings 22 a-b (see, e.g., FIG. 4described below).

The bracelets 12 a-b may be specifically manufactured for use with thefastening device and/or conventional bracelets (or other jewelry) can beused with the fastening device. Complementary jewelry can also beprovided. Complementary jewelry may include the design elements (above)and/or other coordinating jewelry that can be purchased and worntogether or in various combinations with the fastening device 10. Whenworn on an arm, the fastening device 10 holds the bracelets 12 a-bsubstantially adjacent to the watchband 14 on the wearer's arm 1.

It is noted that the fastening device 10 may be made of any suitablematerial, such as but not limited to, cloth, leather, Metal, beads,elastic, plastic, or other natural or synthetic materials, including anycombination thereof.

The fastening device 10 may be used anywhere on the watchband 14, forexample, on the underside (so that it is not readily visible under theuser's wrist), on one side of the watch face 15, or on both sides of thewatch face 15. The band portion 16 may also include windows(s) of anysuitable shape (e.g., diamond shaped, circle shaped, heart shaped) sothat the watchband 14 itself is visible, at least in part, through theband portion of the . fastening device 10 (see, e.g., FIG. 6 describedbelow).

Multiple fasteners 10 (only one is shown in FIG. 1, but see FIGS. 5-8described below) may also be used on the same watchband 14, even if onlyone (or a few) of the fasteners 10 are used for fastening jewelry to thewatchband 14. In this regard, the fastening device 10 may be used adecorative item in itself, for example to enhance the appearance of thewatchband 14 even when not used with other jewelry such as bracelets 12a-b.

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of the example fastening device 10 shownin FIG. 1. FIG. 1 b is a top plan view of the example fastening device10 shown in FIG. 1 a. FIG. 1 c is a right side plan view of the examplefastening device 10 corresponding to the view shown in FIG. 1 b. FIG. 1d is a front side plan view of the example fastening device 10corresponding to the view shown in FIG. 1 b.

The various components of fastening device 10 described above for FIG.1, are further visible in FIGS. 1 a-d. Here it can be seen that theexample fastening device 10 includes band portion 16 having openingformed in the band portion 16. The opening is sized to slide onto awatchband (as shown in FIG. 1). The fastening device 10 also includes anedge portion (two edge portions 20 a-b are shown) of the band portion16. At least one opening (four openings 22 a-d are shown) is providedwith at least one of the edge portions 20 a-b for attaching a braceletor other jewelry (as shown in FIG. 1).

In an example, one or more flap (two flaps 21 a-b are shown) may beprovided on the edge portion(s) 20 a-b. In use, the bracelet or otherjewelry may be attached with the openings 22 a-b so that the bracelet orother jewelry is held substantially adjacent the watchband when worn onthe arm so that the bracelet or other jewelry does not slide up and downthe arm, as shown in FIG. 1.

It is noted that the terms “provided with” as used to describe theopening(s) 22 a-d provided with the edge portions 20 a-b, means that theopenings 22 a-d may be provided through the flap(s) 21 a-b (as shown inFIGS. 1 a-d), and/or directly on the edge portions 20 a-b, and/orotherwise attached to the edge portions 20 a-b, for example, as therings that are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (described below).

The following figures show other examples of the fastening device 10.Hundred series reference numbers are used to identify like componentsfor the corresponding Figures (e.g., 200-series are used in FIG. 2,300-series are used in FIG. 3, and so forth). Therefore, thesecomponents (if already described above for FIGS. 1 and 1 a-d) may not bedescribed again for each of the following figures.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of another example fastening device 210. Inthis example, the band portion 216 of the fastening device 210 includesan elastic portion 230. The elastic portion 230 enables the fasteningdevice 210 to be readily slid over the watchband (not shown in FIG. 2),while helping to maintain the fastening device 210 in a desired locationon the watchband while being worn on the user's arm. Any elasticmaterial (or technique such as shirring, etc.) may be used to provide aresilient effect.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another example fastening device 310. Inthis example, three openings 222 a-f are shown on flaps 321 a-b on eachside of the band portion 316 of the fastening device 310. The twooutermost openings 322 a-b and 322 c-d on each of the flaps 321 a-b maybe used for attaching the bracelet, similarly as shown in FIG. 1. Theother opening(s) 322 e-f may be used for complementary jewelry or otherdecorative items, such as the heart charm 332 (attached with a chain orother connector) and the crystal insert 334.

Although not shown, there exist many methods of attaching the crystalinsert 334 to the opening 322 f, such as a soft plastic “plug” which canbe push-inserted into the opening 322 f via an interference fit, andthen pulled out to remove the crystal insert 334 from the opening 322 f.Or the crystal insert 334 may include a magnet (e.g., for connecting tothe metal ring or grommet), or other attachment that can be insertedthrough the opening 322 f and connected thereon (such as the pin andbacking used for earrings) to retain the crystal insert 334 attachedwith the opening 322 f. Of course, the decorative items are not limitedto charms or crystal inserts (shown only for illustration), and anydesired item may be attached to the fastening device.

It is noted that any number of openings 322 a-f (fewer openings and/ormore openings) may be provided on one or both sides of the band 316. Inaddition, multiple flaps (not shown) may be provided on the same side orin the same location. For example, another flap may be used to cover theopenings 322 a-b and 322 e in the flap 321 a.

FIGS. 4-8 are illustrations of other example fastening devices as thefastening devices may be used with a watch or other similar item. FIG. 4shows an example fastening device 410 with shirring 436 a-b and 436 c,both on the flaps 421 a-b and the band portion 416. Shining (or similartechnique) may be used to provide elasticity, resilience, and/ordecorative effect. FIG. 4 also shows the bracelets 412 a-b connectedusing clasps 411 a-d connected to the openings 422 a-d. The clasps 411a-d may be provided with the bracelets 412 a-b as bracelet clasps, orthe bracelets 412 a-b may be modified as such. This method of attachmentis an alternative to sliding the bracelets 412 a-b through the openings421 a-d in the flaps 421 a-b, as described above and shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows two example fastening devices 510 a-b with crystals 540 a-bor other decoration (or “bling”). Also in this example, the fasteningdevices 510 a-b are shown without any visible openings for connectingthe bracelets. That is, openings may (or may not) be provided. Forexample, openings may be provided on the underside and thus are notvisible in the top plan view. In another example, the fastening devices510 a-b may not have any openings, wherein the bracelet (if used) can beheld within the same opening of the band portions 516 a-b which wraparound the watchband 514. In addition, the fastening devices 510 a-b maybe used without a bracelet as a decorative element itself for thewatchband 514.

FIG. 6 shows example fastening devices 610 a-b having windows 642 a-bformed through the band portions 616 a-b, so that the watchband 614 isvisible (at least partly visible) even when the fastening devices 610a-b are slid onto the watchband. Although circular windows 642 a-b areshown in FIG. 6, any shape window (or plural windows) may be provided.

FIG. 7 shows example fastening devices 710 a-b without any flaps (suchas the flaps 21 a-b shown in FIG. 1). In this example, the openings forattaching the bracelets are provided as rings 744 a-d and 745 a-d sewnor otherwise attached to the band portions 616 a-b of the fasteningdevices 710 a-b. In this example, the bracelets 712 a-b are shownattached to the fastening devices 710 a-b with separate clasps 746 a-d.That is, the clasps 746 a-d are not connected on the bracelet itself,but rather the bracelets 712 a-b are provided through the clasps 746 a-dand the clasps 746 a-d are attached to the rings 744 a-d on thefastening devices 710 a-b.

FIG. 8 shows examples fastening devices 810 a-b, again without anyflaps. In this example, the openings for attaching the bracelets (notshown) are provided as rings 844 a-d and 845 a-d connected bycorresponding links 848 a-d and 849 a-d (e.g., a single chain element orwire) to the band portions 816 a-b of the fastening devices 810 a-b.

In another example, both side flaps may be opened by snapping (orpulling in the case of VELCRO®) the top layer from the bottom layer,thereby fully separating the top and bottom portions of the band portionof the fastening device. In this example, the fastening device becomestwo separate portions (e.g., halves) that are mirror images of eachother that can be assembled together by the wearer onto the watch band.

FIGS. 9 a-e are illustrations of other example fastening devices. FIGS.9 a and 9 b show top views of example fastening device 910 a and 910 b,respectively. Fastening devices 910 a-b are. similar, but fasteningdevice 910 a includes decorative seams 911, whereas fastening device 910b is a “plain” configuration. FIG. 9 c is a perspective view of thefastening device 910 a shown in FIG. 9 a so that a “hidden” elastic band912 can be seen on the underside of the fastening device 910 a. FIGS. 9d and 9 e show the underside of the fastening device 910 a and anotherexample fastening device 910 a′, respectively. Fastening device 910 aincludes a rectangular metal fastener 913, where the band portion goesthrough three metal (or other material) “holder” loops 914 a-c.Fastening device 910 a′ includes a square metal fastener 913′, where theband portion goes through two metal (or other material) “holder” loops914 a′ and 194 b′. Of course, other numbers of loops and other sizes andconfigurations of fastener (e.g., circles) may also be used.

The fasteners 913 and 913′ may be positioned above, and are connectedto, the elastic band portion of the fastening devices to go around theopen end of the watch band. In effect, the fasteners 913 and 913′ hidethe elastic band, in particular as the fasteners 913 and 913′ may extendon both sides beyond the “hidden” elastic band. The fasteners 913 and913′ may also have side flaps with small openings.

The fasteners 913 and 913′ may be smooth and/or decorative on the top(finished) side. The underside has thin, narrow metal openings (e.g., onthe left, center and/or right) that descend slightly and run the widthof the fasteners 913 and 913′, and are large enough to receive the thin“hidden” elastic portion of the band, which passes through in a closedloop. In effect, the elastic band runs through openings that areconnected from the underside (non-finished side) of the fasteners 913and 913′. It is the hidden closed loop that receives the open end of thewatch band, just as the other examples described above.

The fasteners 913 and 913′ can have all the same variations in edges andflaps and small openings as previously described. However, the edgesand/or flaps in this particular formulation can be flush with thefasteners 913 and 913′, or offset (e.g., by a 1/16th of an inch) by apiece of metal. These examples provide a high-end, substantial look andmay be appealing to some demographics of watch buyers.

Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described aboveare provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to belimiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.

1. A fastening device to be worn on an arm, comprising: a band portionhaving an opening formed in the band portion, the opening sized to slideonto a watchband; an edge portion on either or both sides of the bandportion, and at least one opening provided with the edge portion forattaching a bracelet or other jewelry, wherein the bracelet or otherjewelry is held substantially adjacent to the watchband when worn on thearm so that the bracelet or other jewelry does not slide up and down thearm.
 2. The fastening device of claim 1, further comprising at least oneflap on the edge portion, wherein the opening provided with the edgeportion is provided on the flap.
 3. The fastening device of claim 2,wherein the opening provided with the edge portion is provided throughthe flap.
 4. The fastening device of claim 2, wherein the openingprovided with the edge portion is a ring connected to the flap.
 5. Thefastening device of claim 1, further comprising at least one fastener.6. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein 91 the band portion isresilient.
 7. The fastening device of claim 1, further comprisingcomplementary jewelry configured to connect to the opening provided withthe edge portion.
 8. The fastening device of claim 1, further comprisingcomplementary jewelry configured to snap into the opening provided withthe edge portion.
 9. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein thebracelet connects to the edge portion by sliding through the openingprovided with the edge portion.
 10. The fastening device of claim 1,wherein the bracelet connects to the edge portion by attaching on eitherend directly to the opening provided with the edge portion.
 11. Thefastening device of claim 1, further comprising a clasp to connectaround the bracelet and to the opening provided with the edge portion.12. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the band portion isconfigured to attach at a buckle of the watchband.
 13. The fasteningdevice of claim 1, further comprising at least one window formed throughthe band portion so that the watchband is visible through the at leastone opening.
 14. A method of using a fastening device to hold a bracelettogether with a watchband worn on an arm, comprising: providing a bandportion of the fastening device with an opening to slide onto thewatchband; providing an opening with an edge portion of the fasteningdevice to attach the bracelet or other jewelry; and wherein thefastening device holds the bracelet or other jewelry together with thewatchband when worn on the arm to reduce sliding on the arm.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising providing a flap on the edgeportion.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising adjusting theband portion to fit different size watchbands.
 17. The method of claim14, further comprising providing complementary jewelry to connect withthe edge portion.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the complementaryjewelry snaps into an opening associated with the edge portion.
 19. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising providing a window through theband portion of the fastening device so that the watchband is visible.20. A fastening device for holding a bracelet in substantial alignmentwith a watchband worn on an arm, comprising: means for sliding onto thewatchband; means for attaching the bracelet to the means for slidingonto the watchband so that the bracelet is held together with thewatchband when worn on the arm so that the bracelet or other jewelrydoes not slide on the arm.